Ease: A Cognitively Accessible Walking Aid for People Living

Ease is a walking aid designed especially for people living with dementia. Typically, Walking aids such as canes and walking frames are crucial for elder care. They significantly reduce the risk of falling. However, for people with dementia and cognitive impairment, the aids that were supposed to help reduce risk instead had a negative effect.

This is because to use a walking aid correctly, the user needs to learn and use it correctly, both in posture and gait. This increases the cognitive ability required to walk with a walking aid compared to without one, even for experienced users. The attention span and ability to differentiate objects in the environment also need to be considered when designing a walking aid.

Stimulating color
The cane's color stands out from the environment, helping users identify and locate it. The color also stimulates the user's brain to make them more active while not too much to irritate them.

Modular Design
Module parts allow Ease to adapt to every unique user's needs, including GPS, LED light, coin pocket, and wallet. The modular design also allows user to customize the walking stick's height to fit their needs.

Standing base
The base allows the user to place the cane everywhere without laying it down or leaning on something, making reaching for the cane when getting up from a seat or bed more effortless for those who have declined motor function.

Grip and holding
The ergonomic design provides comfort, while the loop design prevents accidental cane drops, allows the user to pay less attention when holding, and allows them to focus their cognitive ability more on the surroundings.

"Ease aims to make its users experience less cognitive demand. Empowering independence and self-reliance for people with early-stage dementia Improves quality of life and, as a result, delays the progress of dementia. And in the end, restore human dignity, health justice and reconnect people living with dementia back to their community."